Method of baling rubber



Julyy 20, 1943- R. w. ALLEN ET AL METHOD 0F BALING RUBBER Filed June ll, 1941 Patented July 20, 1943 UNITED, STATES e PATENT OFFICE] I` l n* I RBVBER n l n Y Akron, Ohio, assignors to The Firestone'Tir'e & Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio j 1 claim.

This invention relates to an improved method of baling rubber, to a uniform density rubber bale adapted to be shipped without/the use of external confining means.

Heretofore, rubber bales ordinarily have been formed in presses having opposed parallel surfaces which are moved toward each other to compress the rubber therebetween, and withthis method the removal of resultant bale of compressed rubber was difficult. It is also impossible to get a uniformly compressed bale because of the friction of the rubber when travelling under pressure against the sides of the press. The excessive frictional resistance between the rubber and metal walls of the press is sufficient to overcome the energy administered by the ram pressure. Then too, the bales usually requireuse of a covering material.

While these bales have been used for many years, they are not entirely satisfactory, due to the appreciable labor and material cost involved, and also because the bales are not made of uniform density rubber, and may have voids therein. Since rubber bales are shipped long distances and the freight charge thereof depends upon the volume of the bale, rather than the weight thereof, the presence of voids in the bale, or formation of non-uniform densities, appreciably increases the freight cost on the rubber.

The general object of the present invention is to overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of, and objections to, present types of rubber baling methods, and to provide a novel, improved method for forming a compact, solid rubber bale of uniform density.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sturdy, uncomplicated rubber baling apparatus adapted to stand long, hard usage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for compacting a maximum amount of rubber in a minimum amount of space with a minimum amount of energy.

The foregoing and other objects will be apparent as the description of the invention proceeds.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure I is an elevation, partly in section, of apparatus embodying the invention and for practice of the invention; and

Figures II and III are sections taken on lines II-II and III- III of Figure I.

Referring specifically to the accompanying drawing, a concrete base, or other supporting means, IU is shown which has a large hole II formed therein. A substantially oval shaped frame I2 is mounted on the concrete base yIi! by brackets 20 secured in any desired manner to opposite sides of the frame andanchored to the base l0 by bolts20a. The frame includes an upper section I2a and a lower section IZb, with the lower section extending into the hole II, while channel members I3, vwhich may be integrally secured to the brackets 20, are secured to the outer Walls .of the upper portions of the frame I2 to reinforce same.l A dieV block I4 having an inverted V-shaped lower surface I5 is suitably secured to the upper end of the frame member I2a. The surface I5 is formed by two planar surfaces, each of which is 'at an angle of 45 with the vertical so that they form a right angle therebetween.

In order to form an inclosed chamber from the upper section I2a of the frame I2, doors I6 and II are pivotally secured to the frame I2a by hinges I8. Means, such as bolts I9 having wing nuts 2I thereon, are pivotally'secured to the frame and are adapted to engage with slots 22 formed in bars 23 and 24 carried by the doors I6 and I'I, respectively, whereby the doors can be'locked in closed position by screwing the wing nuts 2I down on the bars after the Vrubber to be baled is inserted into the upper section of the frame I2 and the doors closed to form a chamber therein. It will be seen that only one of the doors is essential and that the second door may be per manently secured to the frame,

The means for compressing rubber confined within the chamber formed in the frame I2a include a ram 25 which is slidably received in a cylinder 2 6 that is secured in, or formed integrally with, the lower section I2b of the frame I2. A pipe 21 extends from the lower portion of the cylinder 26 and connects to a suitable source (not shown) of hydraulic pressure whereby the ram 25 can be forced upwardly with relation to the cylinder. Upon suitable adjustment of .the hydraulic pressure means, the ram may be alloWed to move downwardly, due to its own weight at the completion of the baling operation, or a second pipe (not shown) may connect to the upper end of the cylinder for introducing a pressure medium for forcingthe ram downwardly. A raml head 28, having a V-shaped upper surface 29, formed similarly to the surface I5, is carried by the ram 25. The ram head 28 is adapted to be moved into abuttingrelationship with the die block so that the edges of their V-shaped surfaces are in contact. The inclined surfaces of the head and block are designed so that they form an inclosure which is diamond-shaped in a vertical plane. The inclosure is a square but is tilted on one end.

In practice of the invention, the rubber to be baled preferably is formed into a continuous sheet whose Width is substantially equal to a dimension, such as the depth, of the bale to be formed im the apparatus or the rubber may be formed in separate short sections, each of which has a Width, or a. length, which is substantially equal to the depth of the rubber bale desired The mass of rubber to be baled is placedi in the' apparatus so that the dimension of the rubber equal to the depth of the baie extends im auch direction in the apparatus.l The upper frame section I2a connes the length ol" the rubber' inserted therein so that its length in the apparatus cannot be greater than, the diagonal ot ai section taken through the square side of the bale desired. Next, the control means and hydraulic pressure sumyf arey arranged so that rluid is introduced: inta:` the minder 25 through tlne pipe. 21.' amlthe ramahead wie moved; uigirnto` engagement. with: the die bloei: I4. @bvmusy such; movement of the ram: head: torens. substantially alli of the rubber carried by; the: ram lieaxil inflow iirom-tsfsnbstanmiaily flatpositionin order' to ili' the die black Il ami the lower portion 0L the: mm head1 28;,

By using` compressingmembers having inclined g;

suxfliilces;1 an; improvedr compact. um'form. density' rubber bak-,r is ormed beans@ tlixe rubber, heinsgf; plastic and beihgrconqmessed im two dinectms at, on'ce,. Hows: together' muck moretham when: only compressed m one metiera The rubber composing tlm bale bws smartly mcristpiiistic so that it retains its shape after' the fome isrefmnvedi and it can be shippe wisthuut any external euunimgmnanatmemundr The formaxtium oil voids; io-` the balle ik avoided'. For examens; the' sim cm roost4 rubber balm is 24""x-19" 1129., whim. blies cnmta'lm about 225 pounds et rubber.. bales mmnedi in accordance with applicants invention, and of the same size as regular bales, contain around 275 pounds of rubber so that appreciable savings in the freight charges on the bale are e'ected. Also, appreciable reductions are effected in the labor and material cost required to crate and uncrate the rubber bales.

Metal mug U' maybe secured mathey Walls of the hole il' to facilitate access to the lower por- ,tion of the apparatus.

It will be understood that the depth of the bale female-'equal to the distance between the inner surfaces of the doors I'l and I6 and that such distance may have any desired relation to the sie'sof thei'ace'szof the die block and die.

The detailed' description of the particular embodiment 0f` the invention illustrated and desarihedhmzeim kunt to be construed as limiting the. invention thereto. The invention includes all' features of patentable novelty residing in the foregoing description amb the mmnpam'ing drawing.

What. is claimed is:

The method of forming a comnmtrubber'bmle consisting,` of the steps on stacking; a1- plurality of rubber. sheets upon; a; V1i razor heart within: an! open: comprainm 'chamber thrmlglzn, an.' open' door, @Losing anxilnclsingr said door` whereby said compression chamber' is converted". into a` tightly closed Chambon, inning said raam head toward an Y-shaned die block. and com-A preseing; the rubber; between; said head andi block thereby peograively causing' the said rubber tofmw into a. compact bolleV while preventing this escape of the rubber inem between: the head and` the block by the clue association oir theA walls of saidy compression chamber and said die bloeit,y completing the cycle of the opetiom by moving, said ram head away from said die black, unl'oeking :sa-id door, and removing the termedbale: oi rubber through. the daer..

l BAYMQND W.V ALLEN.. WILLI-AEM T. RIJ-HALS.. 

